A few sandwiches short of a picnicA picnic with sandwiches. Malcolm P Chapman/Getty Images "A few sandwiches short of a picnic" means someone who lacks common sense. The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987."She's great fun, but she's a few sandwiches short of a picnic." AnorakNerd. Shutterstock "Anorak" refers to someone who's a little bit geeky, with strong interests or expertise in a niche area.Although it's more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. This word probably originates from the "uncool" appearance of anorak coats and the people wearing them."Thomasis suchan anorak when it comes to train trivia." BagsyPeople grabbing chicken off a serving plate at a family-style dinner. EyeWolf/Getty Images "Bagsy" is the British equivalent of calling "shotgun" or "dibs" when something, like the front seat of the car or food, is offered up to a group. School kids might call "bagsy" on items in their friends' pack lunches, like an apple or a cereal bar, that the friend isn't going to eat."Does anyone want thi""Bagsy!" Bee's kneesBeekeepers. Manuel Medir/Getty Images "Bee's knees" refers to something at the "height of cool." This phrase became mainstream in the USA in the 1920s despite its British origins, but its popularity has dwindled since the turn of the century.When first documented in the 18th century, the "bee's knees" referred to small or insignificant details. Since then, the phrase has evolved and now refers to something popular or cool."The Beatles are the bee's knees." BenderPeople drinking cocktails. HEX/Getty Images A "bender" is an extended period of drinking, usually in excess. Someone on a spree of excessive drinking and mischief is "on a bender." Benders can last over 24 hours, and so you might say that someone is on "a weekend bender," or a "three-day bender.""I bumped into him towards the end of his four-day bender. He was a wreck." BirdBirds. Taufik Ardiansyah/Shutterstock A "bird" is an informal word for a girl or young woman.While the phrase can be interpreted as misogynistic, it's still commonly used. It's usually used to describe a woman between the ages of 18 and 50, particularly one who is attractive."Look at that bird over there. She's fit." Pull a blinderPeople playing soccer. skynesher/Getty Images To "pull a blinder" involves achieving something difficult faultlessly and skillfully. The phrase is most commonly used when the individual has been lucky and the person saying it is in disbelief that the first person has managed to pull it off."And did you see that equalizing goal in the last minute of injury time? He pulled a blinder there." BloodyRon Weasley in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stoner." Warner Bros "Bloody" or "bleeding" is used to add emphasis to adjectives, similar to how "wicked" is used in New England. The origins of the word are widely disputed. Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th-century phrase "by our lady," and is blasphemous.This second theory has been disproved, however, by the slang's first documentation predating the widespread use of the phrase "by our lady."Nowadays, "bloody" is used widely it's even used in children's films such as "Harry Potter" andis arguably one of the most quintessentially British words on the list."That was bloody good." Bob's your uncleSnapping fingers. Nisara Tangtrakul/EyeEm/Getty Images "Bob's your uncle" is the very British equivalent to "hey presto!" or "et voil!" This phrase is often used to describe a process that seems more difficult than it actually is."Press down the clutch, put it into gear, then slowly ease off the clutch again. Bob's your uncle you're driving!" Bog-standardEmpty dining room. Emilija Manevska/Getty Images Something that is "bog-standard" is completely ordinary with no frills, embellishments, or add-ons. Its origins are somewhat unclear, but a "bog" is another word for a toilet in British slang, adding to the connotations that something "bog-standard" is unglamorous and unspecial."How was the hostel?" "Oh, nothing exciting to report. Just your bog-standard dorm, really." BootCar boot. supergenijalac/Shutterstock The "boot" of a car is the trunk in American English. A popular pastime in the United Kingdom is attending or having your own "car boot sale," in which people usually sell knickknacks and old personal items out of the back of their cars."Shovethe shopping in the boot." Botch jobA broken TV on a shelf. rawf8/Shutterstock A "botch job" is a repair job that's been completed in a hurry and will probably fall apart reasonably soon. A "botch job" can also refer to anything that's been done haphazardly, like a work assignment."Sam did a botch job on these shelves they're wonky!" BrollyMeghan Markle holding an umbrella over Prince Harry. Ian Vogler/PA Images via Getty Images A "brolly" is a shortened word for an umbrella. On a rainy day in London, you would definitely want a brolly on hand."Grab your brolly, it's drizzling outside." Budge upPeople sharing a park bench. Westend61/Getty Images "Budge up" is similar to "scoot over" or "move over." An informal way of asking someone to make room where they are sitting for you to sit down, too, would be asking them to "budge up.""Hey, there's loads of room on that bench. Budge up and make some room for us, too!" Builder's teaEnglish breakfast tea. Emma Fierberg/Business Insider "Builder's tea" is the name of a strongly brewed cup of English breakfast tea with milk and sugar.It's common courtesy to offer a laborer or builder working on your house a builder's tea while they're working especially if they're working out in the cold. This is probably how the term came about."A bacon sandwich and a builder's tea. Now that's a proper breakfast." Butcher's hookButcher handling sausages. Westend61/Getty Images "Butcher's hook" is Cockney rhyming slang for "look." Therefore, if you're "having a butchers," you're having a look at something."Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me?" CheekyA child with marker on his face. Catherine Delahaye/Getty Images "Cheeky" refers to an act that could be deemed impolite or shameless but, for some reason, comes across as funny or endearing to others. "Being cheeky" means being funny or humorous, but slightly mischievous at the same time."Joe's children are absolute rascals they tied my shoelaces together last week!""Those cheeky monkeys." ChinwagA couple having a conversation. Hinterhaus Productions/Getty Images A "good old chinwag" is a good chat, catch-up, or gossip with someone.The action of chatting away with thejaw bobbing up and down resembles a chin "wagging" like a dog's tail."Those twoare having a proper chinwag I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour!" ChockablockBumper-to-bumper traffic. Tetra Images/Getty Images "Chockablock" could be used to describe something that's full to the brim or rammed. This is sometimes shortened to "chocka." The phrase is most often used to describe heavy road traffic."We should've taken the other route. This road is chocka!" ChuffedA happy group of people. Klaus Vedfelt/getty Images "Chuffed" means overjoyed and full of pride. If you get a promotion or meet someone special, you might describe yourself as "chuffed.""I heard you got the promotion. Congratulations! You must be chuffed." CodswallopA person taking a lie detector test. Edward Kitch/AP "Codswallop" means something untrue, often made up for dramatic effect.Although no one is completely sure of the word's origins, it could derive from thewords "cod" and "wallop," which historically meant "imitation" and "beer" respectively implying that "codswallop" is the kind of rubbish you make up when drunk."Oh, what a load of codswallop!" Cream crackeredA person tired at their desk. shapecharge/Getty Images "Cream crackered" is Cockney rhyming slang for "knackered," or incredibly tired.The term probably came about because it rhymes with "knacker." A "knacker" was the person who slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hides. So, if you're "ready for the knacker's yard," you're exhausted beyond relief."This week's done me in already, and it's only Tuesday. I'm cream crackered." DenchSpaghetti alla carbonara. Nattaphat Littlekop/Getty Images "Dench" is an adjective used to advocate something that is impressive or agreeable. Dench is also the equivalent of "solid" or "cool" when used in response to someone else.Its reported creator, British rapper Lethal Bizzle, elusively told The Guardian that the word "means anything you want.""I'm going to make us spaghetti carbonara for dinner.""Dench." DimA dim lightbulb. Oleksandr Filon/Getty Images "Dim" refers to someone who lacks common knowledge. On the other hand, someone who's intelligent might be described as "bright.""She's a bit dim." DoddleA person doing homework. NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty A "doddle" is an easy task. The word could be a variation of "toddle" like a young child's first steps."This will be a doddle." Dog's dinnerA dog making a mess. Shutterstock A "dog's dinner" is a mess or fiasco. It is also sometimes referred to as a "dog's breakfast.""You've made a dog's dinner of that paint job." FaffA person sitting on a couch on their phone. Oscar Wong/Getty Images To "faff" or "faff about" is to waste time doing very little. "Faff" comes from the 17th-century word "faffle," which means to flap about in the wind."What did you do on your day off from work?""We were just faffing about." FitZac Efron. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures "Fit" is used to describe someone physically attractive, usually referring to their physique. If you see someone you find attractive, you would call them "fit.""He's fit." FlogA woman browses a box of old books. Westend61/Getty Images To "flog" means to sell something, usually quickly and cheaply."Flogging" also refers to whipping a racehorse in order to make it move faster, so there is some speculation into whether you flog goods in order to make them shift faster, too. However, there is no proof for this theory."I'm trying to flog my old sofa. Do you know anyone who might be interested?" Full MontyBritish roast dinner. Emma Farrer/Getty Images A "full Monty" refers to pursuing something to the absolute limits.After "The Full Monty" film was released in 1997, there was some international confusion over the phrase, which was taken as a euphemism for stripping. However, "the full Monty" now usually refers to taking something as far as it can go, similar to "the whole nine yards.""The full Monty" historically refers to an old tailor called Sir Montague Burton. Going "the full Monty" meant purchasing a full three-piece suit, a shirt, and all of the trimmings."Our Christmas dinner had everything from sprouts to Yorkshire puddings. If you're going to have a roast, have the full Monty!" Full of beansSpectators at the Gay Pride Parade in Greenwich Village. DanielBendjy/Getty Images "Full of beans" can be used to describe someone who's energetic, lively, or enthusiastic. This phrase could be a reference to coffee beans, although these claims have been disputed."Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!" GaffA house with artwork and decorations. Andreas von Einsiedel/Getty Images "Gaff" is an informal word for "home." Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th century was a music hall or theater, and so it's believed to derive from this."What are you up to this weekend? We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it?" GeezerA man in a business suit texting. Shutterstock A "geezer" is a man who could be described as "suave" or "dapper," and is often suited and booted. Men from east London are also commonly referred to as "geezers," where the term is more interchangeable with "lad."Geezer is thought to stem from the 15th century "guiser," which meant well-dressed."That guy's got suchswagger he's a proper geezer." GuttedA sad child. Ute Grabowsky / Contributor/Getty Images "Gutted" means devastated or extremely upset. If your favorite football team were to lose, you'd be "gutted.""I was absolutely gutted." InnitFriends hanging out outside. iStock "Innit" is an abbreviation of "isn't it," most commonly used among teenagers and young people. This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said."It's really cold today.""Innit." KipA person napping at the airport. Thomas Lohnes/Getty A "kip" is slang for a short sleep or nap. The term is usually used to refer to a nap, but it can also mean a long sleep."What a long day. When we get home, I'm going to take a quick kip." Leg itPeople run away as Kurdish animal rights activists release a bear into the wild after rescuing bears from captivity in people's homes. Ari Jalal/Reuters "Leg it" means to make a run for it, run away, or escape. It's used most commonly when you're trying to get out of a situation by physically running away."That's when all of the lights came on, and so we legged it." MiffedAn annoyed couple. Tara Moore/Getty Images "Miffed" means slightly irritated or annoyed and possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk.""I was a bit miffed,I can't lie." Mint

In 2024, people got carried away with gray.Too much gray can look inorganic. NelleG/Getty Images According to Vanessa Helmick, owner and interior designer at Fiore Home, more people will start replacing gray tones in 2025.The designer said the color will likely be phased out because it was being used for elements like flooring that aren't naturally gray.Additionally, since marble became trendy in kitchens and bathrooms in recent years, homeowners and builders felt they had to use gray everywhere.However, these color choices often appear inorganic and cold, so Helmick predicts more people will avoid gray in 2025. Cool colors, like slate blue and taupe, aren't as popular as they once were.Cool colors like slate blue will likely be replaced by warmer hues. LEKSTOCK 3D/Shutterstock According to Paula Kennedy, a certified architectural color consultant and the CEO of Timeless Kitchen Design LLC, colors with gray in them, like taupe, slate, and cool blues, are fading away as well.She said the move toward warmer colors is becoming stronger, especially in the Pacific Northwest, where the weather turns gray."Right now, there's just an overall theme of warming up," Kennedy told BI. Sage green is falling out of favor.Watery blues and deeper hues will likely replace sage green. Joe Hendrickson/Getty Images Shades of green have long been in vogue, but Kennedy predicts sage will fall out of favor as people shift toward richer, deeper hues.She also believes watery turquoise shades will replace basic blues and greens, as these hues have greater design flexibility and harmonize well with other colors. Stark white can look too harsh or worn.Stark-white furniture can look faded. asbe/Getty Images Color expert Amy Wax told BI that many people love white for its purity and cleanliness, but the hue can quickly look worn or tired when used on furniture especially next to other white elements."If everything is as stark as the white, it's fine," said Wax. "Otherwise, fabrics become faded-looking."Stark white can also be too harsh on the eyes, so more people are opting for hues that feel softer. Black-and-white designs don't feel cozy.Black-and-white designs aren't the best long-term color options. Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock Though black appears sexy and elegant at first glance, Kennedy believes people will move away from it because it isn't sustainable as a long-term color choice.She also said combining black and white in a design is becoming pass."Black and white has a clarity," said Kennedy. "It's simple and matter-of-fact, but we're not in that place psychologically anymore."The designer believes uncertainty in the world is causing more people to opt for cozy home designs and black and white shades don't fit the bill anymore. Fewer people are opting for nautical blue.Nautical blue is on its way out. Artjafara/Getty Images Nautical blue has long been a staple in Helmick's New England community, but the designer believes the color will start to become less popular in 2025.According to Helmick, nautical blue-and-white themes can feel limiting, as updating or changing such a distinctive color scheme can be difficult. "People are moving less, the real-estate market isn't moving as fast, and they want to freshen up their homes,"she told BI.She predicts more people will bring in warm tones and pair them with colors that freshen things up and add a sense of coziness. Mustard and olive hues are dated.Hues like mustard yellow will be replaced with subdued, calming colors. Vanit Janthra/Getty Images Though quirky colors like mustard yellow and olive green had a moment, 2025 may be a good time to rid your home of them."Mustard gold and olive green were attractive because they were unique," said Wax. "But people want something more easygoing."She believes 2025 will see more people gravitating toward calmer hues. Yellows and teals are on their way out.Yellows and teals will likely stay in 2024. Fiordaliso/Getty Images Yellow and teal were popular in 2024, but Wax feels their time has passed."Intensely playful colors like bright yellows and teals have a harshness that has been overplayed," the expert told BI. "People want easier colors that you can decorate around."

GTA 6 fans were convinced Trailer 2's release date was December 27 but we're still no closer to finding out anything new and some fans have grown particularly disheartenedTech10:28, 30 Dec 2024Rockstar has kept quiet for the entirety of 2025(Image: Still)We're a few days removed from the GTA 6 Trailer 2 'release date' after fans theorised Rockstar Games would drop a long-awaited update on the project on December 27 but, just like The Game Awards, it was a no-show.While a longtime Rockstar voice actor has confirmed he's been working with the studio on something, we're still none the wiser about what is likely to be the biggest video game release of all time, and some fans are starting to lose patience with the legendary developer.So, while some at Rockstar are reportedly "geeking out" over fan theories, the game's community is starting to feel hard done by.Fans have been anticipating a fresh look at GTA 6 after a new trademark in Brazil this month, and some had demanded Rockstar throw them a bone with a screenshot or two.Sadly, it appears that's not on the cards, with Rockstar's most recent social media post on X (formerly Twitter) coming under fire for a lack of GTA 6 content."Yeah RIP, apparently a few screenshots to wrap up the year was too much to ask from R* [Rockstar]," one Reddit poster said.Others joked "at least we have the 27 logo", referring to the theory of the December 27 theory, while some pointed the finger at the community for getting overexcited.Will GTA 6 make 2025 after all?"This sub when the b******* they hyped themselves up on is revealed as b*******," one added, adding sarcastic 'shocked' emojis'.What one Reddit member described as a "meltdown" follows a return to the "moon theory" that proved unfruitful, and Rockstar's parent company Take-Two's CEO describing the title as 'extraordinary', adding further fuel to the fire.Article continues belowWe reported on the December 27 'rumour' but, as we expected, little came of it except community disappointment. Looks like it'll be 2025 by the time we hear anything else about GTA 6, but we do have the Agents of Sabotage update for GTA Online to keep us ticking over until then.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

It's been an epic year for gaming, with various titles released across all platforms. Here, the Daily Star's Zahna Eklund breaks down some of the best games they've played over the past 12 months

One last rumour to close out the year (Valve)A Valve insider has suggested the long-rumoured Half-Life 3 could be announced in 2025 as long as playtesting goes smoothly.It looks like 2024 couldnt end without one more rumour about Half-Life 3. While fans have been hoping for a proper sequel for years, the last several months have got people thinking that Valve really is making it.Aside from a voice actor CV found in August, noteworthy Valve insiders have claimed to have found evidence of a new Half-Life being in development through datamining other Valve games, like Deadlock and Dota 2.One of those insiders, Gabe Follower, has already boldly said Half-Life 3 is real after three years of investigating, and now he believes the game has entered the playtesting phase.In fact, in Gabe Followers latest video on the matter, he says hes heard Valve has been playtesting a new Half-Life for the last few months. Not just internally, but also with friends and family members of Valve employees.As a reminder, similar private playtests are being held for Deadlock as well, which led to screenshots and video footage leaking online ahead of a formal announcement from Valve.This playtesting phase is very important, according to Gabe Follower. In the past, private playtests such as this resulted in Half-Life: Alyx having its whole story rewritten and, apparently, Deadlock having its art style changed twice.Gabe Follower also believes that if things progress smoothly, then Valve could very well have an announcement ready in 2025. Although considering Valve has cancelled iterations of Half-Life 3 in the past, theres no guarantee any new title wont meet a similar fate.More TrendingElsewhere in the video, Gabe Follower touches on other datamined details he thinks are tied to a new Half-Life game. For instance, he claims to have found further evidence of Valve working with altered gravity mechanics that would allow players to transition from flat surfaces to spherical environments.Valve co-founder and president Gabe Newell did recently admit he saw no point in making a Half-Life 2: Episode Three if it didnt offer anything new from a gameplay perspective. So, youd think any new Half-Life game will boast a unique mechanic not seen in previous entries.The odds of Half-Life 3 actually getting made are more likely now than they were before Half-Life: Alyx came out in 2020. Ahead of its release, Valve even teased the Half-Life series would continue, with this VR interquel marking our return to this world, not the end of it. There have also been rumours of Half-Life: Alyx getting a sequel (Valve)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Like Elastigirl from the seminal Pixar film The Incredibles,LGs latest widescreen display is a 5K2K OLED monitor that transitions from a standard flatscreen to a 900R curved screen. Its extra large at 45 inches, and it will cost a pretty penny, but it may also be the only monitor youll ever need. LG is known for its experiments with flexible, morphable screen material, but the 45GX990A still comes as a surprise. LG is promoting its latest 45-inch panel, which offers flexibility beyond bendability. It features VRR (with no word on its top refresh rate) alongside its Dual-Mode feature, which lets you switch between resolution presets. The display comes with a toggle to swap between a 21:9 or 16:9 aspect ratio or other picture sizeseither 39-, 34- or 27-incheswithout digging through monitor settings. LG said theres a total of eight different configurations. Image: LG To avoid getting confused by the 5K2K resolution claims, the display is 5,120 by 2,160, though that will change depending on what settings you use on the monitor. The pixel count is effectively equivalent to the height of 4K, at 3,840 by 2,160. If you plan to game on such a setup, youll want to run games that offer ultrawide support. At least the LG Flexible OLED is rated for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. It should also include support for DisplayPort 2.1 HDMI 2.1 (even with HDMI 2.2 on the horizon) and 90W power delivery. The 45GX990A is a standard OLED with the .03 MS response times typical of this display type. It may not be as pretty as other 16:9 curved monitors, like Alienwares AW3225QF from earlier this year, but the difference will be marginal. Ive also enjoyed the QDOLED on the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 with its 1800R curve. Ive never felt the need to suddenly trade in a curved display for a flatscreen, though maybe the top end of the UltraGear GX9 series might change my mind.LG is trading the quantum dots of those other screens for size and flexibilityliterally and figuratively. You get a massive 45-inch screen real estate that can fit your desired curve, whether filling your periphery or offering a slight bend to your typical workstation. Either way, 45 inches would consume most desks, so say goodbye to your multi-monitor setups. Thats all before we know the pricing on these displays before LG shows them off during CES 2025 in the second week of January. LG has additional, non-flexible monitors like the sister curved OLED and the 45GX950A, which includes the same 5K2K OLED but with a standard 800R curve. LG also claims this model has limited bezels to a virtually borderless design. This fellow, the likely-expensive monitor, is joined by a smart gaming monitor, the UltraGear 39GX90SA. That 800R curved OLED display uses LGs Linux-based webOS to act like your typical smart TV, which may make it good for game or movie streaming.Again, theres no word on pricing or release timing. LG finally started selling its famed transparent Signature OLED T, which first showed off at CES 2024 earlier this month for $60,000. I dont expect LG to take nearly as long on its UltraGear GX9 series, but thats up to the screen maker. Last year, LGs big CES announcement was a 240 Hz monitor that can also go to 480 Hz. That display cost $1,400 MSRP. Judging by its size, we expect the GX9 to cost even more.

The Christmas shopping seasons come and gone, but maybe you lucked out and got a little bit of the green stuff in your stocking and youre thinking about a little splurge on yourself. Samsungs state-of-the-art Galaxy Buds3 Pro would qualify as a splurge at their usual $250 price, but when you can stack up to $50 of instant trade-in credit on top of the $60 discount currently being offered by Samsung, is $140 is way more of a smart deal than a splurge.See at SamsungSamsung is taking us into 2025 with more of their famously generous trade-in offers, and this one on the Galaxy Buds3 Pro released only 4 months ago and hailed by many reviewers as the best in-ear headphones on the market lets you bring home a pair for as little as $140. Even if you dont have any tech devices for trade-in, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are still $60 off, and $190 is a very nice price indeed for these 4-star-plus rated buds.Redesigned to ShineSamsung added Galaxy AI to their latest and greatest earbuds, which helps them deliver the best adaptive sound and noise cancellation of any Samsung earbuds yet. Galaxy AI-powered Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation listens to the levels of noise around you and creates adaptive sound filters to keep it out of your ears while letting in whatever you actually want to hear.Galaxy AI is also the brain behind the Galaxy Buds3 Pros ability to learn how you wear your earbuds and adjust to it, with an Adaptive Equalizer feature that gives you a listening experience thats specifically optimized for you. And even with all of those brains, Samsung was able to add some beauty the Buds3 Pro are redesigned with a sleeker, more modern look in white or silver, including a strip of LED light down the back of each earbud for a cool and futuristic look.All About the SoundDual amplifiers and enhanced 2-way speakers in each bud combine to create an amazing 360-degree immersive sound that enhances anything youre listening to, including music, podcasts, phone calls, or even your TV the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are abundantly pairable, especially with other Samsung devices. And where some earbuds make toggling between music and phone calls and back difficult, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are programmable, so you can decide which part of the Intuitive Touch Control does whatever task you choose.Theres no better place to take your holiday cash than Samsung, where its so easily stackable with great trade-in credits. Combine their $60-off sale on the top-of-the-line Galaxy Buds3 Pro earbuds with up to $50 in trade-in credit and bring the price down as low as $140.See at Samsung

Dont tell Amazon, but theyve forgotten to take down one of their best deals from Black Friday and Cyber Week. The top-rated, waterproof JBL Boombox 2 portable Bluetooth speaker is somehow still available for its Black Friday price of just $300 a huge 26% cutdown from the usual $404.See at AmazonThe page still says limited time deal, and at some point theyll figure out that theyre still practically giving away this portable, bass-pounding Bluetooth speaker and send the price back to its usual place. So you might not want to let this one slip away, because your indoor and outdoor parties would be so much better with the JBL Boombox 2 working as your DJ.Take It AnywhereThe 13-pound JBL Boombox 2 is just 7.9 x 19.1 x 10.1 inches, and designed with a durable and secure handle built into the body, so its easy to take anywhere you need 160 watts of high-quality sound with booming bass. Its JBLs loudest Boombox yet, but its not staticky, window-rattling noise its JBL Signature Pro Sound, so you get quality and quantity when it comes to decibels.That amazing bass is driven by the Boombox 2s two built-in passive radiators, one at each end of the sleek design. The result is deep, immersive, hard-hitting bass that turns any party into a club-like experience.Portability aside, the JBL Boombox 2 is the prime candidate to take along for any outdoor gathering thanks to its IPX-7 rated waterproofing. On the beach or by the pool, or just outside when a sudden rainstorm hits, the Boombox 2 isnt going to short out on you from a little water, and its rechargeable battery lasts for a solid 24 hours of play on a single charge, so you wont be unplugging a wet cord from a live outlet.Pair Your Tunes and Blast AwayConnect the JBL Boombox 2 via Bluetooth to your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop and you can stream your music library and hear it in a bigger and better way than ever before. Or pair via Bluetooth and sign into whatever music streaming service you subscribe to, and youll get up to 24 hours of amazing sound. If you already have a Boombox or other JBL PartyBoost-compatible speaker, you can connect them wirelessly and surround yourself with incredible, immersive sound.The calendar says its the end of the year, but Amazons page for the JBL Boombox 2 still thinks its Cyber Week, because the 4.7-star-rated Bluetooth speaker is still listed at 26% off just $300. Before the price jumps back by over $100 to its normal range, dive in now.See at Amazon

Maximized Density: How Co-Living Spaces Do More with LessSave this picture!LT Josai Shared House / Naruse Inokuma Architects. Image Masao NishikawaRising populations and soaring real estate prices pose significant challenged to urban housing. In a desperate hunt for affordable living options, communal co-living spaces have emerged as a creative solution, offering quality living conditions through clever space optimization strategies. By implementing innovative design techniques, these shared living communities maximize every square foot to create functional spaces within compact footprints.Developers face significant spatial constraints when attempting to create new housing stock, often working with limited land availability and zoning regulations that restrict building heights and densities. Residents, too, must grapple with the phenomenon of shrinking living spaces, as the demand for urban housing continues to outpace supply. Micro-apartments and compact living quarters are gaining traction, challenging individuals to adapt to living environments with minimal square footage and increased density.Save this picture!Co-living spaces have emerged as a remedy to these spatial constraints, optimizing limited square footage through innovative design strategies and shared amenities. By embracing open-concept layouts, multipurpose furniture, and vertical space utilization, these communities are able to maximize the functionality of compact individual units. Lofted sleeping areas, built-in storage solutions, and transformable living spaces allow residents to enjoy private quarters while minimizing underutilized space. Related Article The Rise of Co-Living: Designing for Communal Life Co-living developments incorporate shared common areas and amenities, such as communal kitchens, lounges, co-working spaces, and fitness facilities. This approach reduces the need for duplicated resources within each unit, freeing up valuable square footage for living spaces. Co-living spaces offer a viable alternative for urban residents seeking affordable housing options in increasingly dense city environments. Plenty of strategies have been used across developments make the most of limited space:Extending Space VerticallySave this picture!One of the most effective space-saving approaches employed by co-living buildings is the strategic use of vertical space. Instead of relying solely on horizontal layouts, these developments incorporate lofted sleeping areas, multi-level storage solutions, and even compact spiral staircases. In Zeze Osaka Co-living House designed by Japanese architecture studio Swing, they optimized the use of vertical space with the incorporation of a mezzanine level overlooking the ground floor communal living and dining area. By utilizing the vertical dimension with the mezzanine, double height living room, and open stair design, Swing was able to create a sense of spaciousness and varied communal spaces within the compact 140 square meter footprint of the building.Outdoor Living SpaceSave this picture!A key space optimization strategy employed by West of West in their concept for Sunset Steps was allocating a generous 65% of the site area to shared greenspaces that foster community interaction. Rather than maximizing private indoor spaces, their design incorporates stepped terraces along the rear of the building that create informal communal gathering areas like decks, balconies, and gardens. Pushing the building massing towards the front of the site opens up the ground level for a spacious shared yard. These outdoor spaces are seamlessly linked by a central branching staircase that provides residents easy access to the various terraces and yard, promoting movement between the separated yet connected green spaces. By prioritizing interconnected outdoor living areas over maximizing interior square footage, West of West's design optimizes the limited site through communal spaces that extend the livability of the units outwards, cultivating a sustainable sense of community.Multi-functional Furniture PiecesSave this picture!Another key strategy is the use of multipurpose, flexible furniture that can adapt to different needs throughout the day. Co-living units often feature transformable furniture and movable partitions, allowing residents to reconfigure their living areas as needed. To optimize space in their High Street House co-living building in London, Noiascape and Teatum+Teatum employed the design of multi-functional furniture pieces and integrated storage solutions within the compact living units. Specifically, they designed the beds as elevated platforms that not only serve for sleeping, but also integrate surfaces for working/studying and built-in storage underneath. They also incorporated custom mobile storage closets made of perforated metal that can serve multiple purposes like clothing storage, room dividers, or displaying objects through the perforations.Urban Interior StructureSave this picture!In Madrid, Dozen Doors Co-living was designed by gon architects as an "urban interior structure". By making the central staircase the organizational core, the building allows the efficient stacking of the compact private bedroom units radiating off the stair landings on each level. It facilitates easy access and flow between the communal living spaces like the kitchen, dining, living rooms that are interspersed vertically. The central stair essentially becomes the connective tissue binding the private and public realms. Its position optimizes the floor plates by creating proximity between the individual units and shared amenities without wasted corridor space. This centralized vertical circulation spine strategy enables a dense programming of diverse communal and private functions within the limited floor area of the renovated single-family house.As urban populations continue to grow and housing affordability remains a pressing issue, co-living spaces offer a viable solution by employing innovative space-saving strategies. From vertical layouts and multipurpose furniture to shared amenities and minimalist design, these developments are redefining urban living, proving that it is indeed possible to create comfortable and functional living environments while "doing more with less."Editor's Notre: This article was originally published on May 13, 2024, as part of the ArchDaily Topics: Doing More With Less. Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorAnkitha GattupalliAuthorCite: Ankitha Gattupalli. "Maximized Density: How Co-Living Spaces Do More with Less" 30 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1016508/maximized-density-how-co-living-spaces-do-more-with-less&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Villa La Moraleja / Vasco Vieira ArquitectosSave this picture! Fernando Guerra | FG+SGHousesAlcobendas, SpainArchitects: Vasco Vieira ArquitectosAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1500 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2021 PhotographsPhotographs:Fernando Guerra | FG+SG Lead Architects: Vasco Vieira More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Harmonizing Architecture with Nature: The Vision Behind Our Villa Design. Our primary goal with this project was to create a villa that exists in perfect harmony with nature, fostering a continuous dialogue between the built environment and its natural surroundings. The result is a living space that feels less like a structure imposed on the landscape and more like an organic extension of it.Save this picture!The villa is situated in a location rich with mature trees, and from the outset, we committed to preserving as much of this natural canopy as possible. Instead of clearing the land, we identified areas with little to no tree cover and strategically placed key volumes of the building within these spaces. This approach allowed the villa's form to develop naturally, resulting in a series of interconnected volumes that weave gracefully through the landscape. By suspending sections of the villa above the ground, we minimized the need for extensive earthworks, enhancing the sense of lightness and creating a constant visual connection with the surrounding greenery. Natural light and shadow play dynamically throughout the day, offering unique perspectives from different vantage points within the home.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!To further integrate the villa into its surroundings, we selected a thoughtful palette of exterior materials. The facade is clad in brown VMZinc panels and timber panels, complemented by green roofs that blend seamlessly with the treetops. These materials were chosen for their sustainability, as they are recyclable, low-maintenance, and naturally age to become more integrated with the landscape. Our landscape design follows a similar ethos, preserving the site's natural topography and vegetation. Instead of manicured lawns, we opted for wild grasses that bloom seasonally, creating bursts of color throughout the year.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Inside, the connection between architecture and nature continues. The internal layout flows naturally, with open-plan spaces that prioritize both functionality and aesthetic fluidity. We opted for a minimal palette of seamless materials like microcement, creating a clean, cohesive look that echoes the simplicity of the exterior. Large glass panels invite natural light into the home, blurring the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces. Two striking sculptural metal staircases add depth and movement, becoming focal points within the villa's double-height spaces.Save this picture!Ultimately, our goal was to design a structure that is as respectful of its natural surroundings as it is visually compelling. By prioritizing sustainability, thoughtful material choices, and sensitivity to the landscape, we've created a villa that offers a truly unique living experience. It's a home where nature isn't just seen from the windows it's felt in every room, providing a serene and stimulating environment for modern living.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officePublished on December 30, 2024Cite: "Villa La Moraleja / Vasco Vieira Arquitectos" 30 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025003/villa-la-moraleja-vasco-vieira-arquitectos&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream